CFBRanking Conference Champ Week Top 26

By
Kyle Huesmann
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(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

CFBRanking Championship Week Top 26

1. Ohio State

Last Week: W over Michigan 56-27

The Buckeyes cemented the #1 spot for another week with a blowout win vs a ranked Michigan. Ohio State has the Big Ten Title Game vs Wisconsin to 100% seal their playoff spot. However, even with a loss and they would probably still be in.

2. LSU

Last Week: W over Texas A&M 50-7

LSU showed how good of an offense they had once again when they blew out the Aggies. Up next, is the SEC Title Game vs Georgia and the Tigers should be in either way. But a loss here would be interesting.

3. Clemson

Last Week: W over South Carolina 38-3

Clemson dismantled the South Carolina, a team that Georgia lost to, to cap off a 12-0 season. Up next, they have the ACC Title Game vs Virginia. Clemson will be in the playoff barring a catastrophic loss to the Cavs.

4. Georgia

Last Week: W over Georgia Tech 52-7

Georgia blew out the rival Yellow Jackets and set up a must win to make the playoff game for the Bulldogs. Georgia faces LSU in the SEC Title Game and loss will likely leave them for the Sugar Bowl.

5. Utah

Last Week: W over Colorado 45-15

The Utes were close early, but pulled away for another complete team win. The Utes now have the Pac 12 Title Game vs Oregon. A win and they will likely be in the playoff. A loss? They’d fall and Oregon would get the Rose Bowl.

6. Oklahoma

Last Week: W over Oklahoma State 34-16

The Sooners picked it up and beat the Cowboys handily after struggling for a stretch of games. Up next is Baylor in the Big 12 Title Game. The Sooners need either a Utes loss or a very dominating performance for a shot at the CFP.

7. Baylor

Last Week: W over Kansas 61-6

Baylor took care of business ahead of the Big 12 Title Game vs Oklahoma in a 55 point win. If the Bears can knock off the Sooners, they will need a Utah loss for a shot at the playoff. Otherwise, a NY6 bid is probable.

8. Alabama

Last Week: L vs Auburn 48-45

The Crimson Tide lost a close high scoring affair and lost out on a possible playoff bid. Alabama will probably play in the Citrus Bowl, where likely a handful of players would sit out.

9. Wisconsin

Last Week: W over Minnesota 38-17

The Badgers dominated Minnesota to gain a spot in the Top 10 and the Big Ten Title Game vs Ohio State. The Rose Bowl is likely, but they can’t get blown out again.

10. Florida

Last Week: W over Florida State 40-17

The Gators finished the season with a rivalry win to finish 10-2. Florida projects to play in the Orange Bowl.

11. Minnesota

Last Week: L vs Wisconsin 38-17

The Golden Gophers had a disappointing loss to end a great regular season. 10-2 is still a great year and they could face Alabama in the Citrus Bowl.

12. Penn State

Last Week: W over Rutgers 27-6

Penn St struggled with a backup QB leading the way, but they finished the season 10-2. Looks like the Nittany Lions could be heading to the Outback Bowl.

13. Auburn

Last Week: W over Alabama 48-45

The Auburn Tigers pulled off a big upset to end the season and knock the Tide out of the playoff picture. A trip to the Outback Bowl and a match-up against Penn State could be in their future.

14. Oregon

Last Week: W over Oregon State 24-10

Oregon took down the rival Beavers to end the season and now they get a shot at Utah in the Pac 12 Title Game. A win and they will be headed to the Rose Bowl. A loss and the Alamo Bowl may be the location.

15. Notre Dame

Last Week: W over Stanford 45-24

The Irish ended the season on a high note with a win over Stanford by 3 scores. A trip to the Camping World Bowl will be their likely postseason desitination.

16. Memphis

Last Week: W over Cincinnati 34-24

The Tigers got a huge win vs Cincinnati and put them in the G5 NY6 drivers seat. They can clinch that spot with a win in the AAC Title vs…….Cincinnati. A W will put them in the Cotton Bowl.

17. Iowa

Last Week: W over Nebraska 27-24

Iowa pulled off the win late with a FG from Keith Duncan and finished the regular season at 9-3. The Hawks are projected to go to the Holiday Bowl with a chance at 10 wins.

18. Boise State

Last Week: W over Colorado State 31-24

The Broncos got a close win over the Rams, but ended the season at 11-1. Up next is the Mountain West Title Game vs Hawaii and a win may get them to the NY6 bowl, but they need a Memphis loss, but close, so they stay ahead of Cincinnati. Likely, they’re landing in the Las Vegas Bowl.

19. Appalachian State

Last Week: W over Troy 48-13

The Mountaineers smashed the Trojans to finish 11-1 and likely are going to fall just outside of the Cotton Bowl. The projection has them heading to the New Orleans Bowl.

20. Michigan

Last Week: L vs Ohio State 56-27

The Wolverines ended the season with another loss to their rival Buckeyes and end the season at 9-3. Michigan will likely be in the Gator Bowl looking for a 10-win season.

21. Cincinnati

Last Week: L vs Memphis 34-24

The Bearcats could have kept themselves in the driver’s seat, but fell to the Tigers last week. They get another shot at Memphis and the NY6 bid. A loss and the Liberty Bowl is the prediction.

22. Virginia

Last Week: W over Virginia Tech 39-30

The Cavaliers finally broke the 15-game losing streak to Virginia Tech and locked up a spot in the ACC Title Game and likely the Orange Bowl. If they somehow fall out of that Orange Bowl spot, they could find themselves in the Belk Bowl or Sun Bowl.

23. Navy

Last Week: W over Houston 56-41

The Midshipmen could not be stopped on offense as they were able to hold off the Cougars for a 9-2 record. The projection has Navy in the Military Bowl, but before the bowl they have the big rivalry vs Army.

Also Go Army Beat Navy. Sorry.

24. Kansas State

Last Week: W over Iowa State 27-17

The Wildcats won the final game over Big 12 rival Iowa State and hopped into my Top 25. At 8-4 the Alamo Bowl seems like a probable landing spot.

25. USC

Last Week: Bye

The Trojans ended their regular season a week early and will be waiting for a bowl location. The projection says Alamo Bowl, but the Holiday Bowl is also possible.

26. Air Force/SMU

Last Week: W over Wyoming 20-6

The Falcons defense did a great job and they were able to get their 10th win of the season vs Wyoming. The bowl projection for Air Force is the Armed Forces Bowl, which is fitting.

Last Week: W over Tulane 37-20

The Mustangs as well got a solid win to end the season at 10-2 and it was hard to keep them out so they got the tie at 26. SMU is projected to make the Frisco Bowl with a chance at 11 wins for a program that hasn’t been this relevant since before the Death Penalty.

-Next Teams Up-

Indiana

Last Week: W over Purdue 44-41 2OT

Bowl Projection: Pinstripe Bowl

UCF

Last Week: W over South Florida 34-7

Bowl Projection: Cure Bowl

UL Lafayette

Last Week: W over UL Monroe 31-30

Bowl Projection: LendingTree Bowl

UAB

Last Week: W over North Texas 26-21

Bowl Projection: New Mexico Bowl

Florida Atlantic

Last Week: W over Southern Miss 34-17

Bowl Projection: First Responder Bowl

San Diego State

Last Week: W over BYU 13-3

Bowl Projection: Cheez-It Bowl

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